K79 Oven Build

[boerwarrior]

Re: K79 Oven Build

well in that case let's see if you get any responses from more experienced builders - I am still a newbie!

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

K79,

my floor bricks are moving way less than I was led to believe. And I had my oven full of wood yesterday with temps way over 1,000 degrees.

Given that it is too late to do anything about it - I wouldn't worry! You will get some cracks and that is OK!

Well technically it's not to late my floor bricks have been cut so they can be removed I just don't want to .

[boerwarrior]

Re: K79 Oven Build

K79,

my floor bricks are moving way less than I was led to believe. And I had my oven full of wood yesterday with temps way over 1,000 degrees.

Given that it is too late to do anything about it - I wouldn't worry! You will get some cracks and that is OK!

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

uh oh.. .did i overlook expansion joints on my oven floor bricks between my walls. Mine fit a little snug. How much of an issue is this?

[jbruning]

Re: K79 Oven Build

Casting would be a fun project. Maybe on my next oven.........

[david s]

Re: K79 Oven Build

Creating the entry using bricks requires some complex brickwork and usually results in an entry way deeper and heavier than you would otherwise want. I don't know why more don't choose to cast it, or at least the top section, it's so much easier. I guess you guys are so into cutting and shaping bricks that you're on a roll when it comes to doing the entry and changing the building method does not come to mind.

Didn't the fourth little pig cast his house after the wolf rattled the brick one to bits?

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I think Ken524 did his very similar to yours and as far as I know has reported no problems. I would think that the compression on the one side should hold, provided the arch doesn't move away from the inner arch, it shouldn't be able to drop should it?

Amen brother

[jbruning]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I think Ken524 did his very similar to yours and as far as I know has reported no problems. I would think that the compression on the one side should hold, provided the arch doesn't move away from the inner arch, it shouldn't be able to drop should it?

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

They may have not been reading your thread. I think Gulf and David have a point. I see no compressive load holding in your vent transition bricks. It looks awesome but what is holding them in place when the mortar bond is compromised?

There is 3.5" of brick in the front forming a full arch with all tapered brick creating the compressive load. If I got rid of that mortar right now that arch would still hold true. How could that brick slide down? Something would have to give on the front side of the brick.

[Les]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I've seen others that have done it this way and asked prior and nobody mentioned it was an issue

They may have not been reading your thread. I think Gulf and David have a point. I see no compressive load holding in your vent transition bricks. It looks awesome but what is holding them in place when the mortar bond is compromised?

[Gulf]

Re: K79 Oven Build

i like the shape, but is anything stopping those bricks from dropping? They don't appear to be supported or tied in.

I have to agree with David on this. I try to think of every brick, arch, etc. in terms of support. Would that brick, or arch still be structurally sound if the mortar turned to dust?

just sayin'

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

Seems a little conservative. I may have waited a week because of a short vacation. Came back and went full throttle out of the gate - zero cracks. There is no guarantee that time is the answer. I have a driveway that is 20 years old and it's getting cracks

Might be but I have so much going on here to keep me busy why not wait...

As far as your driveway... pavement is a little different than masonry I'ld say if you got 20 years out of your driveway thats pretty good, especially if you live in a freeze/thaw environment.

[K79]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I think David means the bricks between your two arches that curve up toward your flue - which appear not to be tied into the arches on either side. Most builders stagger the center bricks into the arch on either side so they're supported by the arch, not just the mortar. If you built it without tying the bricks into the arch, and the mortar bond between the middle bricks and the arch bricks to either side breaks - then they could drop into your oven. Not saying it will. But I could see how it could happen. But then you also could have them sitting on top of your arch, which one couldn't see in that picture.

Take a look at post #354 and #355. There are no bricks between my inner and outer arch. There is only my inner and outer. Those cuts you see I cut into my outer arch bricks.

[Les]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I'm waiting 28 days. My first fire will be June 29. Don't rush your dome. You'll get it done when it's done. I know easier said than done. Your's is looking good !

Seems a little conservative. I may have waited a week because of a short vacation. Came back and went full throttle out of the gate - zero cracks. There is no guarantee that time is the answer. I have a driveway that is 20 years old and it's getting cracks

[deejayoh]

Re: K79 Oven Build

I've seen others that have done it this way and asked prior and nobody mentioned it was an issue. I read some threads and was unable to find anyone say it would fall apart. Each brick is one solid piece. Those tapers are cut into one brick. The front 3.5" of the arch is all connected and in compression holding them in place. All of my bricks are tapered really tight. Unless the front of my arch blows out and my tapers crack at their joints there's no way it's coming down. That, the buttress, and the mortar I think I'm all set. Not to mention before I even had the keystone in place the arch was holding itself up. No reason it should fall.

I think David means the bricks between your two arches that curve up toward your flue - which appear not to be tied into the arches on either side. Most builders stagger the center bricks into the arch on either side so they're supported by the arch, not just the mortar. If you built it without tying the bricks into the arch, and the mortar bond between the middle bricks and the arch bricks to either side breaks - then they could drop into your oven. Not saying it will. But I could see how it could happen. But then you also could have them sitting on top of your arch, which one couldn't see in that picture.